William Howard Seay Sr., 88

William Howard Seay Sr., 88, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Willy was born in Burlington, Wash., in 1935 to Howard and Mae Seay. He was the oldest son of a family of five children, with siblings Patricia, Elouise, Jack and Ronald. 

Willy graduated from Bothell High School in 1953 and joined the United States Navy. During his service, he saw action in the Korean War. He married Barbara Lahaie on Aug. 30, 1957, in Bremerton, Wash. He and Barbara had three children, William Jr., Jeffery, and Stephanie. Willy and Barbara divorced in 1964. 

He remarried in June 1972 to Phyllis Sambor of Max, N.D. He was stepdad to her son, Mark. Willy and Phyllis started a small car lot at an old gas station in Williston, N.D., that evolved into Seay AMC/Jeep, the leading seller of Jeeps in the region. They divorced in May 1984.

Willy moved to Hope, Idaho, in 1995 and loved the area, He and his brothers, Jack and Ron, all enjoyed hunting and fishing together. 

Willy is survived by his sister, Pat Taylor; sister Elouise; son William; daughter Stephanie; and grandchildren Leslie (Matt), Racheal, Anthony (Lorinda), Bethany (Zack), and Gunnar; and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by both brothers, Jack and Ron; and his son, Jeff.

Services are yet to be announced.

Family and friends are invited to sign Willy’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.